Stay Strapped
book study of Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Handout
Intro:
Intro:
Review
Tighten your Belt up(Belt of truth)
Cover your Heart(Breastplate of Righteousness)
Onward Christian Soldier(The Gospel Shoes of Peace)
The Shield of Faith our Fortress(The Shield of Faith)
Keep your Helmet buckled up(The Helmet of Salvation)
Stay Strapped(The Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God)
Chicago youth carrying guns largely for protection. They don’t leave out the house with their gun because of the level of violence in Chicago
always
always
As believers the word of God is the method by which we defend ourselves and destroy strongholds that have been constructed in our minds.
I. Get your Gun Out
I. Get your Gun Out
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(EXE-v.17) “take the sword of the Spirit” in this last verse there is one verb. It is “take” which applies both to the Helmet and the Sword.
(EXE-v.17) Take-is in the Middle Voice. meaning the person is the cause and effect of the action taken. It is in the imperative mood. This means it is a command just like last weeks message about the Helmet of Salvation. This in not a suggestion by Paul it is a command. Paul is functioning like a General leading his troops into Battle.
What is this last piece of battle equipment Paul wants us to arm ourselves with?
(EXE-v.17) “the sword of the Spirit” there are two types of swords in the a Roman Soldiers arsenal. They had a long sword and a shorter blade or a smaller dagger. Paul uses the greek word for a smaller dagger. This is for close hand to hand combat. All Roman infantry soldiers would carry this blade.
(EXE-v.17) “the Sword of the Spirit” is an offensive and defensive weapon. I want you to envision an ancient sword fight. The expert swordsman knew how to block the enemies thrust and then go on the attack with his own. Now there are two key point about sword fights:
Swords unlike arrows were close quarter battle(this is when the devil gets real personally with his attacks)
Swords are pulled out to fight enemy soldiers with swords. It is blocking and thrusting.
(EXE-v.17) “The Sword of the Spirit” this phraseology is very interesting. This is the only time this phrase is used in the bible. Paul provides some extra meat for us to understand “The Sword of the Spirit” metaphor. He tells us “The Sword of the Spirit” is “The Word of God”
(Exe-v.17) “The Word of God” It is very important for us to break this phrase down in Greek there are two words used for “Word”:
Word-Logos- a collecting or collection both of things in the mind, and of words by which they are expressed. Word, Speech, Principle or Thought
Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. Vol. 2. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.
The Greek used it to describe “logos” as “divine reason” or “mind of God” Logos was the written expression of the Mind thoughts of God.
logos: When John the NT writers use Logos it refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, who is the living embodiment of the word
Think about it. When you have a thought in your mind it takes words to express those mind thoughts verbally or in written form those “words” are “Logos”
Let me show you the most famous use of this verbiage in John 1:1-3:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
Word-Rhema- rhema, which refers to the spoken word. Rhema literally means an utterance (individually, collectively or specifically). Spoken word.
Rhema it is when specific words are used to address specific situations.
Charismatics/Pentecostals view this word as internal voices from the HS spoken directly to us. We must be careful with this understanding of the word “Rhema”. The HS will not speak outside of principles bound up in the scriptures. I am very careful with that verbiage.
Rhema word is most employed when the spirit of God brings a scripture or scriptural principle in your mind that meets your communicative need or specific situation.
Lets take a look at an example of “Rhema” being used in the scriptures:
38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
(EXE-v.38) Notice the Angel spoke to Mary and gave her a specific instruction about her being the surrogate for the Messiah. Look at what Mary says in (v.38) may it be done to me according to your RHEMA.
25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;
(EXE-v.25-28) There was a righteous man named Simeon who got a RHEMA word from the HS which was very specific “you will not die until you see the consolation of Israel” which is the birth of the Messiah. Led by the Spirit Simeon went to the Temple and Jesus was being purified according to the Law when Simeon saw him he took him and blessed then he pronounce “Now Lord, you are releasing your bond-servant to depart(die) in peace, According to your RHEMA.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
(EXE-v.17) Notice what Paul says “Faith only comes by the RHEMA of Christ”
You can see from these text Rhema is more than just nebulous communication. It is specific communication to address a particular situation.
Example #1-Mary was commissioned to be a vessel of our Lord
Example #2-Simeon got a rhema word about his departure from the HS who assured him before he died he would see the Messiah
Example #3-Paul says only a “Rhema” word can produce the faith to save. In this case “The Gospel” is a specific message to address a specific situation.
Not let us see the Rhema word in action against an Enemy:
Not let us see the Rhema word in action against an Enemy:
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
We are not going to preach this passage. What are going to do is extract some principle for our use:
Principle #1-The word of God does not address the many ways people sin, but it does address the principle to which all sins derive from. As the world becomes increasingly complex and technological People find different ways to sin. Example: Shacking up(Living together with someone not your spouse) unheard of in the ancient world.
Many folks always ask; where in the bible does it say you can’t live with someone you aren’t married too?
You won’t find it but you will find a principle in the word and that says “Flee fornication” If you live with the person you are fornicating with how can you “Flee”
Example: Pornography did not exist in the ancient world. No magazine, TV, computers, or Tablet.
You know where this goes: “Where does it say you can’t look at pornography in the bible?”
Matthew 5:27-28 “27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’;28but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Now that you have a basic knowledge how scripture directly addresses the root cause of every sin no matter the generation. Watch Jesus in action:
4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ”
Jesus responded to each of Satan’s attacks with “It is written” Jesus was clearly saying that my Father has left a blueprint for doing battle with Satan. This blueprint at this time was found in the OT writings. In each of these Temptations Jesus used an OT principle to respond to Satan.
Principle #2-Jesus never spoke outside of the confines of the written word in the OT when speaking to Satan. In each of Jesus responses to Satanic Temptation his first words to Satan where in (v.4.7,10) “it is written” There was no small talk at all in this Narrative. Jesus did not let the conversation sway into other areas. Jesus did not stay on the phone. He used the word like a Roman Dagger and spliced Satan up.
The second temptations is interesting. Because in that Temptation Satan said “it is written” once he realized Jesus was only going to use scripture he pulled out the bible as well.
What can we learn about Satan in this tactic?
If you start using the written word against him. He will use it as well.
How did Jesus refute this tactic?
Jesus challenged Satan hermeneutically. Satan was quoting from Psalm 91. He only quoted 91:11-12 “For he will give his angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone” He forgot to quote verses 1-9. The promise of (v.10-12) was a conditional promise based on verses (v. 1-9) This is not a unilateral Promise for an OT believer under the law to sin and expect God’s protection. Notice just one verse (v.9)
9 For you have made the Lord, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
(v.9) “For” “Because” you have made the Lord your refuge and your dwelling place. Then these protection will be afforded to you in (v.10-12)
Satan left that out when dealing with Jesus. These Promises from Psalm 91 were to be enjoyed when you stayed in the center of God’s will. Jesus jumping off the Temple to force God’s hand would have put Jesus outside the will of God, thereby nullifying the promises
Principle #3-In each Satanic seduction Jesus address the particular Temptation with a scriptural principle that matched the Temptation. He went to the Logos(written word) and Applied the Rhema (Applied word) to each situation.
Take a look at the first Temptation. Jesus had fasted 40 days and 40 nights then Satan tempted him to get outside of God’s will by satisfying his hunger in way not prescribed by his Father. What Jesus response:
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”
(EXE-v.4) Jesus went to the OT and quoted Deut 8:3:
1 “All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your forefathers. 2 “You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.
(v.1-2) Moses gives the Israelites a history lesson by telling them God watched over you and he tested you with Hunger(Trials) so that the integrity of their faith would come forth, then he feed them Manna so that they would not long for a return back to Egypt. Then he quotes (v.3) Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.
Here is the principle of that Text: God’s word supersedes even our most basic human desires. Hunger, Sex, Love, Relationship, Fellowship, Rest. All of these are human desires but sometimes they contradict the word and when they do The Word must Trump them.
In Matthew 4:4:
4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
(v.4) Jesus says “Man must not live on bread alone but on every RHEMA that comes from the mouth of God”
Summary:
Summary:
Principle #1: Jesus address sins at the root level, which hasn’t change since the beginning of time. Although people have found creative ways of sinning the roots of sin is still the same.
Principle #2: Jesus never spoke outside of the word of God when addressing Satan temptations. No small talk or conversation. If Jesus keep the conversation concise and rooted in the written word how much more should we.
Principle #3: Jesus addressed each specific temptations with a scriptural principle from the OT related to the temptation. We have both the OT & NT to work from
Now after we have done this work let’s Go Back to Ephesians 6:17
Now after we have done this work let’s Go Back to Ephesians 6:17
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(EXE-v.17) “and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God”
Like a trained warrior we need to learn how to pinpoint the attacks of Satan with the principles found in the word
Like Jesus we need to recognize his movement, keep the conversation short but learn how to preach to yourself. This will require putting scripture to memory.
I want you to start with the places in your life that you cannot seem to get victory on. Those places that continue to show up: Worry, Lust, Anger, Bitterness, Discouragement, Your mouth. If there is a sin that has been persistent in your life it might be a stronghold that Satan has constructed. Get a scripture related to that stronghold and commit it to memory!!!
My two scripture for this season of life to help me remove some strongholds in my life are:
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
I came across both of these scriptures in my daily studies.
One addresses my need to better understand God’s grace in my life, so that I stop beating myself up when I stumble in my walk.
Second one addresses this natural proclivity I have for putting things off till the last minute.
These Strongholds need to come down.
Sleeping with the Bible Under my Pillow rather than reading the Bible and letting it Rest on heart as a little boy. Going to the Haunted House with my Father
Going to Seminary-I was worried about my wife and 4 girls. How we would take care of ourselves. How we would make it. Our income was slashed by 60%, but I sensed God calling me to further my education. I hadn’t articulated these worries to my wife then in my daily reading I came across this scripture:
1 Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.”
This is the note I wrote next to this verse when I read September of 2010: This is the Scripture God used to convince me to leave Ypsilanti and go to Seminary no matter the cost. I was thinking about my family and the risk I was taking but God had to remind me that my children were his children and the it is never a risk when you are in His perfect will.....Interestingly the only ones that made it into the promised lands were the children of those that worried about their children
Open the Doors of the Church
Open the Doors of the Church
Giving
Giving
3 “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. 4 “Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. 5 “Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. 6 “Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. 7 “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 “When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.
Benediction
Benediction
16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.